The series premiered on September 30, 2001, as the third series in Dick Wolf's Law & Order franchise. Criminal Intent focuses on the investigations of the major case squad in a fictionalized version of the New York City Police Department. The 10th and final season premiered on May 1, 2011, at 9 p.m. EDT.
Criminal Intent follows The NYPD Manhattan "Major Case Squad", a force of detectives who investigate high-profile cases. Season 1–4 (and 10) focus on Detectives Robert "Bobby" Goren and Alexandra Eames as the primary detectives in every episode. UK-aired version of Law & Order: Criminal Intent features the song "There's Only Me" by Rob Dougan in the opening credits.